By Bakary Touray Jr.
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has organized a day-long tax seminar for the women entrepreneurs who have registered with the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry(GCCI).
The Deputy Commissioner General of GRA, Mr. Essa Jallow, held that the seminar would help facilitate the tax compliance; and also reduce compliance and administration cost of the women entrepreneurs.
The GRA second-in-command indicated that the Revenue Authority engages stakeholders such as University of The Gambia (UTG), Regional Tax Administrators inter alia, to deepen the understanding of the populace on tax administration.
Jallow remarked:”The seminar gives me confidence that it will generate and strengthen the understanding and cooperation between GRA and the GCCI, and will also go a long way in promoting voluntary tax compliance and tax compliance.”
Speaking at the event, Senior Business Manager at the GCCI, Ms.Olimatou Deen, informed that the seminar aims to enlighten the women entrepreneurs on their roles in tax administration, as they are key contributors in the crusade.
Describing taxation as a complex issue, she lamented that women don’t have access to information on tax; as such, the seminar would expose them to the requisite information on taxation as entrepreneurs.
Manager Deen recalled that GCCI has been organizing events, ranging from annual trade fairs, trade fora, capacity building, among others, to advance, support and encourage women entrepreneurship in the country.
She echoed: “I encourage you all to pay your taxes, for the purpose of proper record keeping for your accounts and declare your correct tax amount. We will continue to partner with GRA and other partners as women business advocates, to enhance and promote women businesses.”
President of Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GWCC), Madam Beatrice Mboge, said their mission is to complement the work of the GCCI in terms of serving women, and their value propositions include but not limited to: access to finance; access to market; and access to data, to boost women entrepreneurship in the country.
GRA’s Deputy Director of Policy, Planning and Research, Mr. Yahya Manneh enjoined the participants to make good use of the seminar, positing that it would avail them the opportunity to clarify their doubts on every aspect of their business endeavors.
